Terrible Night

[honey1616]

I had my first shot yesterday at the doctors office at 2 and by 4, I was feeling a little strange and achy but within the next hour I was shaking so bad.  At 7 I started getting sick at my stomach and the shakes were unbelievable.  I had a tremendous headache from 5 in the evening until 5 in the morning.  This morning I feel like I came back to the world but am very weak.  Wow...I'm so not looking forward to that next shot next week LOL  Does anyone have any suggestions for a better nite and something for a headache and also will this be better I'm praying.

[honey1616]

Hey...No Fair! I'm jealous you are going to Mexico haha  No seriously I hope you guys have a great time.  Yeah my hubby started a month ago and is doing fine so far.  Its just me that is still trying to iron out a few days.  Shot day was horrible as I said and next day still pretty yucky and then today..I'm feeling normal again Yeah!!  I wasn't really haven't second thoughts about starting same time as him but was just having second thoughts on even doing it. haha  Of course I know I have to so we are both so ready to just through this year and then things can get back to normal we are hoping.  Almostdone2, thanks for all your replies and you keep me hanging in there knowing that you beat that big viral load!!  Everyone elses advice has just been the greatest and thank you!!

[want2live]

No, the Doc said not to pull back and check for blood, just inject. I hope that this instruction is not driven by the almighty buck!

[cindyazure]

I always felt like the worse I feel, the bigger the battle going on inside of me.  I hear that the biggest battle happens in the first few weeks when the virus is being killed.  I went from 27 million vl to 11 thousand in 3 weeks and I felt BAD.  I cleared in 10 weeks.  Think of it like that & maybe it will help.  Good luck to you.  Cindy

[Revenire]

I had the same sort of sides the first shot I took. It never happened again. I did get other kinds of sides but nothing as dramatic as that first shot.

[want2live]

I did my 2nd shot Friday, and my chills and aches were a little bit less severe than the first one. I still feel like warmed over ****.
Nausea, malaise, no appetite, achy, can't sleep, too. I am drinking lots of water (1 gal + daily), and trying to rest.

I find that sometimes by body is all tensed up, and when I realize it is happening, then I can relax my muscles. Then after I take my mind off it, I realize that I am tensing up again.
Anyone else get this?

My Dr. said that contrary to the med's instruction video, if there is blood when you give yourself a shot then go ahead and inject anyway. Does anyone know why this is changed? Was anyone else told this too? Are they just trying to save a buck?

I am sure trying to "Cowboy up" and trying to be strong, but I am already so frikking tired of feeling like this!

[honey1616]

Thank you so much everyone as I feel so much better knowing that it couldn't get much worse and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I guess I need to remind myself to stay focused and its killing my virus!  I didn't take any tylenol before injection but I definitely will next week!  haha  Today I feel just kinda wasted with still a dull headache but nothing compared to last night.  Thanks again so much for your replies!!

[Revenire]

I never even checked to see if there was blood. I figure it would be awfully hard to enter a vein.

[want2live]

I didn't either, but I started thinking about it after this last shot, there was some blood and I was kind of suprised there was some. I injected in my thigh, and there's plenty of meat there.
Now there's a small bruise, not like my first shot.
It's hard not to be paranoid about it.
Thanks

[WackyKilkins]

I just took my secound shot Friday and it was much better.  I originally stopped tx after about 3 days cause I was soooo sick, but started back with the pills again a couple days later.  The tylenol and benedryl really helped this time.  The worst is no energy to do anything....I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach and my head is so foggy.  I think I know what it feels like to be a dingbat, LOL!! I made a mistake this weekend and tried to do too much.  I had my CBC done, colored my Mom's hair then went and had my hair cut off.  On the drive home, I thought I was going to pass out.  If I had been smart, I would of done one thing a day instead of all on Monday. Besides drinking ALOT of water.....save your energy - don't try to do too much!!!  My thoughts and prayers are with ALL of you in this difficult time!

[honey1616]

Are you talking about when you start to inject and withdraw a little...there is some blood coming out?  I was told to retry if this is the case because there should be no blood.

Wacky...I know what you mean as I feel like I have been kicked to the curb a few times haha  I will continue to take my pills though and having my fingers crossed that it does get better.  Last night while I was so sick,,,it was time for my 2nd dosage of Riba and honestly I did not know how I was going to keep them down and almost talked myself out of it but I finally did and it was ok.  This is tough and I know everyone is going through their own little nightmares one way or another.  I have each and everyone of you in my prayers and lets have a good week!!!

[Roadway]

I had the same thing happen the first shot. It was terrible. Thought I was going to shake right out of bed. About 12 hrs later, it was like a veil had been lifted, but I was completely drained. That only happened on the first shot. Week 12/24 (2 weeks ago) something similar happened, but nowhere close to the first time. The nurse told me to take tylenol before the shots when I first started the treatment. I've found that for me, taking 1000mg about 3 hrs after the shot is more helpful for me. The coldness, and "stuff," etc. starts to happen about 4hrs after the shot for me. I usually find that about 12 hrs after the shot, it feels like there's a hand put on my chest and I'm slowed down pretty well. I take my shot at about 4:00PM Fridays so I can be as well as possible to go to work on Monday. There's light at the end of the tunnel. I had my viral load done a week ago and the results came back from Mayo's today. They tell me I'm undetectable. Given my 33,000,000 co/ml viral load at the beginning of the treatment--I'm quite pleased. Quite pleased! I'm not out of the woods yet, but this is very good news.
Being able to talk about this stuff here with people going through the same thing has put a different spin on the whole deal for me I must say.
Good Luck and hang in there--it gets better

[slarso]

It definatly gets better. my routine is to take 2 tylenolPM's about 1 hour before the shot, take the shot then go to bed. MY wife has said that I sweat and shake in my sleep, but it has works very well for me

Steve

[adavisirl]

Hang in there, the first few shots are often the worst. I don't
think I ever got the chills after shot #3...
Take care, and drink those fluids!

Andrew

[hph5477]

Same experience for me on the first shot except I took a tylenol about every 4-6 hrs after my shot.  Took 2 tylenol when I woke with the "bad" chills which knocked out the chills pretty fast.  Second wk I had the nausea really bad along with the headache.  Did shot 14/48 last wk and have been doing pretty good since.  My dr prescribed Imitrex for my headaches (migraines) I was getting and now I take one a couple hrs after my shot and don't get the headaches anymore.  Don't know if your headaches are that bad or if it would work for you but if you continue with the headaches, ask your dr about it.  It has really helped me a lot.
...Good luck with your second wk. Hopes your sx are much lighter.

[audreywald]

My first shot was exactly the same as yours. I shook so bad it felt like I was going to sahke myself into pieces.  It let up around 6 hours later and I slept most of the next day. I am past #3 now and nothing like that first nite ahs happened again.

Take it a moment at a time. For sure you will not feel bad ALL the time.

Right, all you "oldtimers?"

[mycoldfeet]

Hi just a few lines on the injection subject, I watched the Peg video and called them up to let them know they had a few mistakes in it, especially the part about if blood comes in syringe throw it away and find another site. (ha ha ) stuff cost more than gold and its my blood anyway. I had a bad experience with the side of the stomach under the ribs site. left a big bruise and hurt all week, next one and every one after Ive done in the thigh. I use a 27X 1/2 needle and Im kind of thin so I do just pinch a little before injection then rub the area all around with alcohol swab to spread the meds then walk around to loosen up. A 1/2" needle is not long enough to go into the muscle and a spot of capillary blood when you pull it out is not uncommon, just wipe it off and PROPERLY dispose of with the rest of the stuff. And if the proper length needle is used going in at an angle (like the video says) actually leaves the meds too high and can cause the bruising and soreness. Youll get used to it I have 2 more out of 48 and like me youll have your own little ritual for shot day, but just letting you know what works for me. Hope your experiences with sx (Peg/Co Peg) are as toleralble for you as me (not great but never missed a days work on it. Good Luck keep the Dragon blade sharp.

[honey1616]

Way to go!!  I know you are excited about your results. That makes me feel better because my viral load is 8 mil and that has always kinda concerned me.  Its just so weird how this tx can affect so many different people in different ways.  My hubby started his a month ago and has very mild sides.  Some chills on shot day and dull headache once in a while.  He has noticed his physical strength is not what it should be.  So it sounds like he is one of the lucky ones.  Hang in there and Beat the Dragon!

[DebbieDo]

I did #4 last night.....the sides were less, i did have a restless night with some sweating during the night.......I felt sort of odd the first week with some nausea.....my eating is fine and i have never had a headache......the exhaust from cars, the smell is now intense....the when i eat salted things, they taste way too salty and the same goes for sugar, other than that my appetite has been fine.....hang in there things will get better.......so they say  :)

[couchpotato]

I've been thinking about you, remember I was going to do tx the same time as my husband? I am dismayed to hear you have had a rough time after your first shot and am wondering if you are having doubts as to whether it was a good decision to treat yourself the same time as your hubby? I decided to wait, and now that he has been taken off I am waiting an extra month as we are going to sit on the beach in Mexico for a month and re-group before I commit. Anyway, just wondering when he starts and if you think you made the right decision. Good luck to you both, I'll be pulling for you

[reposyco]

hello everyone took shot 2 lastnight the side were not there this time the first shot it took about 8 hours but i had chills then fever the next day it was a headache and stomach hurt but nothing like i exspected from all the others i am on peg. + reb the old one not the new one and sides have been not bad at all so far i am 1a viral load low at 199,586. hope it stays as mild but spect it want be all the way through injection site the worst swollen and red and itches.....GOD BLESS ALL AND MY YOUR SIDES BE MANAGABLE....DELORES

[jonihs]

You don't have to pull back to see if there is blood. I saw a little the only time I used my thigh. I use the already filled syringes and there is a tiny air bubble that blood comes into if you hit something. But being the cheapo I am I went ahead and gave the shot. That was 3 weeks ago and no bruise, no sore it was fine just like the rest. If you pinch an inch foir a minute before the shot, you don't need to worry. That's what my L.P.N. said.                         Joni

[DownThisRoad]

You may or may not suffer any ill feelings with your second injection or, you may suffer the same feeling with your second injection.

Just when you think your not having any effects, something creeps up on you.  And just when you think your going to have the worse feeling and sides possible, they happen not to be to bad.

The main thing with this treatment is keep your mind focused and realize that you have to take whatever comes along and strive to make yourself as comfortable as possible.  You have to continue to take the medications and work torwards the goal of taking the medicines everyday and finishing your treatment.

We'll be there for you and wish you the best of luck.  Its not easy, but you can do it. Please keep in mind and know from experience of others that these treatment meds can be tricky, to say the least.

[MajNeni]

The sides will keep you guessing... they come and go.  Sometimes the truck hits you, and sometimes you get a free pass.  "Carpe diem" on the good days, but don't overdo; cut yourself slack on the bad days.  Be sure to rest enough (you're really lucky if you know how to power-nap) and drink plenty of clear fluids (caffeinated drinks have to be matched w/extra water!).  Eat small meals; use ginger ale, ginger snaps, etc. to fight nausea.  Try to get some excercise and fresh air regularly; do whatever makes you happy and comfortable.  Be prepared for weird sensations.  Don't worry about small bruises or red marks at shot sites; but if you have a lot of bruises, talk to your doctor.  In fact, contact your doc about everything unusual.  Keep your own records; log how you feel, so you can figure out patterns; ask for copies of every lab test you ever get.  Start a big notebook.  File in it printouts of the best information you find.  Get plenty of post-it notes.  Go to your doctor visits with written questions; they tend to make doctors more willing to answer fully, and you don't have to remember.  Get good moisturizing lotion for your skin and use it often.  If you're caughing and dry, moisturize the air in your house (humidifier - especially in the bedroom.)  

I made a large calendar and used highlighter to cross out each day as I got through it.  It was wonderful to see my progress.  I marked every shot, Dr.visit, lab tests, and changes in meds on this calendar, and posted it prominently in the kitchen.  Now there are no white squares left, only colored ones.  I'll stop there; but these things are probably generally true enough for all of us on tx.  Congratulations for sticking to the routine and keeping a positive outlook.  1 shot down is 1/24 or 1/48 done!  Writing from week 48, I promise you that ordinary mortals can get through the rigors of this tx, and hopefully beat that old dragon.

[cindee]

Hi! And welcome!!! My 1st shot was terrible! My counslor did it for me, to make sure I understood how to inject. We were in a town about 45 minutes from home, also in the middle of an ice storm. He told my hubby and me to go get something to eat, so we found a resturant w/ power!!! Then we drove home and decided to stop at the grocery, with everything running on a generator. About 10 minutes at the store and I felt like I was going to faint...my legs felt like jelly. We got outta there and got me home. I went to bed and was running a fever and having chills. I took some tylenol and learned to take tylenol about 2 hrs. before any other shots. But on into tx. I got to where it was very hard to swallow the capsules, I mean I would get them in my mouth and start to gag....but I always got them down! I think that was a mind thing, knowing how bad the pills were making me feel. I made it thru the 48wks and was SVR (sustained viral responder) all the way thru tx. I will find out 6months results on May6th. You hang in there and if you feel like you can't make it sometimes....come here!!!!! This forum and all the kind people in here is the way I made it thru!!!! Best Wishes and I wish you the least sides. We're here for ya! Cindee